WHOLE LOT OF FUN IN 1ST HALF.

Byline: JOE STEVENS

Strike a pose. Snap a shot.

No, this isn't one of the voluminous photo shoots of Yao Ming at All-Star weekend.

On All-Star Sunday, it is mighty fashionable to take a breather and hand out midseason awards for the first half of the NBA season. So that's what we will do.

With Yao's emergence, the Lakers' struggles and the Hummer soap opera of LeBron James, we've just finished an exceptionally intriguing half-season of basketball, one in which many questioned whether the Lakers really are the team to beat come playoff time.

This doubt of the three-time defending champions has led others, in turn, to question reality. And if basketball has that effect, it must have been one heck of a first half.

--MVP: Shaquille O'Neal 

There is not an obvious choice after the first half, but O'Neal's game is at such a high level. No one in the NBA distorts the game like he does, causing constant double- and triple-teams and opening up the floor for his teammates. The importance of his presence was underscored when the Lakers started the season 3-9 without him.

It took O'Neal time to return to game shape, but he did. The Lakers have gone 21-14 with him back.

--Coach of the year: Isiah Thomas 

This is a no-brainer. If the Pacers finish how they started, playing just under .700 ball, Thomas will have taken an average team and made it great.

Sure, the emergence of Jermaine O'Neal, Al Harrington and Jamaal Tinsley is a huge part of their success. But Thomas has done what many coaches can't - convince his team NBA games are won on the defensive end.

--Rookie of the year: Yao Ming

Phoenix Suns center Amare Stoudemire is a close second, but the Houston Rockets' center is the pick here. Yao has battled inconsistency but has shown the ability to give his team an unfair advantage in the middle, similar to Shaquille O'Neal.

--Sixth man of the year: Bobby Jackson

This is a tough choice because Jackson (19.5 points per game) really hasn't been much of a sixth man this year. As the Kings' Mike Bibby spent the first 27 games on the injured list, Jackson filled in valiantly. An argument could be made that he deserves a spot on the West's All-Star roster.

--Most improved player: Matt Harpring

He's in his fifth NBA season and on his fourth team. Harpring came out of nowhere to be a legitimate scoring threat for Utah.

He is averaging 18.5 points, many by making jump shots. And get this - he's making 50.8 percent of shots.

--Most improved team: Phoenix Suns

Stoudemire is one reason for their success. But the bigger reason is team chemistry. The players have learned to play well together, and the dressing room is no longer a place of fighting and back-stabbing.

--Most disappointing player: Grant Hill

It isn't really his fault, but Hill remains hampered by his left ankle. He missed virtually all of the past two seasons and has been on the injured list since Jan. 18.

If the season ended today, the Orlando Magic would not be in the playoffs.

--Most disappointing team: Clippers

Gone are their hopes for the playoffs and improvement from last season. Gone is the idea the Clippers' troubled past is behind them. This team is far gone.

Fans can blame free-agent-to-be Michael Olowokandi as a ``rotten egg,'' but one player isn't solely to blame for these struggles.

Keep in mind this cliche: You get what you pay for.

The Clippers' coach is one of the lowest paid in the league, and after nearly 20 years in L.A., they still haven't paid to keep their top players - not even with Elton Brand this summer.

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By Vincent Bonsignore

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